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There are two ways to listen to music: passively and purposefully.

Listens to music purposefully reveals its entire aural and emotional profile.

When purposeful listening is used as therapy, inherent elements in the music work with the body.

There are two ways that we listen to music—passively (which is most of the time) and purposefully. Listening passively is when we have music on "in the background" while doing something—listening while cleaning, driving, going for a walk, working, you name it.

Purposeful listening is when the music is the main attraction. The focus. When we listen to music with purpose, we "get" more from it: the textures, the lyrical connotation, and the underlying nuances. We may focus on the cool bass line (one of the coolest is John Deacon’s bass line in Queen’s "You’re My Best Friend"), the interesting drum fills (anything by Rush), the background vocals (Did you know that the whispering background vocal on the chorus of Carly Simon’s "You’re So Vain" is Mick Jagger? Could the song be about him?), or the mix (how Sting’s vocals on The Police’s "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" feels "way in the back").

Purposeful listening invites us to pay more attention to the lyrics, the interesting meter, or how the vibe of the music connects with our emotions—and when we do, we get something more from the music, such as validation of our feelings, empathic connection (think "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.), and the full aesthetic experience. This is where music gives us what we need when we need it. Sometimes we need to wallow in the melancholy of Leonard Cohen, the reflective profundity of Joni Mitchell, or the empowerment of Lizzo.

When we listen to music........

© Psychology Today